Russia wins European SkiO Sprint Relay

Alena Trapeznikova, individual Sprint champion yesterday, teamed up with Sergey Gorlanov today to take a second gold medal in the European SkiO Championships; Russia finished the course 29 seconds ahead of Sweden, with Norway getting the bronze medals.

In SkiO Sprint Relays, teams of 1 man and 1 woman ski six legs, the woman starting first. Tove Alexandersson of the Swedish team said “I made no real mistakes, and with the gaffling it wasn’t really possible to see how we were faring against the Russians.” At the end of the fifth leg, Trapeznikova came to the changeover 17 seconds in front. “I could see Gorlanov ahead for much of the time, but I couldn’t catch him,” said Erik Rost, who set off behind him on the last leg for Sweden.

Sprint Relay podium photo: ESOC

22-year-old Evine Westli Andersen, Norway enjoyed the best result so far in her international SkiO career, combining with the more experienced Jørgen Madslien to take the bronze medals, 2.25 down on the winners.

With the Championships now well under way in the high-altitude ski resort Sarikamiş in Turkey, the athletes are looking forward to the Middle distance competition tomorrow, starting at 11.00 local time. Follow the live stream on www.esoc2019.net.